Red Abstract

Red Abstract is one of the earliest examples of Cheong Soo Pieng's horizon series paintings, which appeared frequently in his late 1960s period. This particular specimen shows the amalgamation of his style of the 1960s with his later three-tier compositions seen in the 1970s. Although Red Abstract follows from a pictorial model whereby the canvas is divided into three distinct bands, the central component comprises of his distinct box-like elements that contain individual microcosms. Here we can see some that depict coastal seascapes, undulating waves, and sandy plains, all painstakingly rendered in Cheong's highly-stylised and abstracted signature techniques; each compartment in itself is like an individual painting by the artist. Rendered in his highly sought-after vermillion, and interspersed with accents of cobalt blue that resemble precious lapis lazuli, Red Abstract, vibrates with an energy that is at once bold and arresting.

The fact that this work is painted at the same time as his Redfernstyle works such as Exploit in Black (Lot 269), is evidence that Cheong was already innovating and experimenting much earlier than previously thought, and a testament to Cheong's epithet as a true pioneer in the Nanyang-style. Christie's is proud to present the debut of this present lot at auction, having only been recently discovered, and previously hidden away before later being acquired from the family of the artist.